Tobacco cleaning machine



Nov. 17, 1931. A. s. FONSECA TOBACCO CLEANING MACHINE Filed May l0, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 17, 1931. A. s. FONSECA 1,831,953

TOBACCO CLEANING MACHINE Filed May l0. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 17, 1931. A. s, FONSECA Y 1,831,953

TOBACCO CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 1-7, 1931. A. s. FONSECA TOBACCO CLEANING MACHINE Filed May l0. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mx/fag 559/1//4/4 @ww/7 Patented Nov. 17, 193 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANDRS ySANTI-LILA IVONSEGA, F HABANA, CUBA TOBACCO CLEANING IVIACHINE Application led May 10, 1930. Serial No. 451,355.

This invention is directed to an `v improve- Figure l is a view in side elevation of the ment in tobacco cleaning machines, and parimproved machine.

ticularlv to a machine wherein the leaf. is Figure 2 is a plan of the same.

subjected to a thorough brushing or cleaning Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of I action on each of the respective surfaces Fig. l.` t Y i thereof whereby to positively remove the ligure 4' is a vertical .sectional u View dust, eggs, larva, small grubs and other surugfhlthe gespective carriers on the line face im urities. o 41g:

The rimary object of the present inven- F lguie 5 is a vertical section through one tion is the provision of a machine in which O f the CLIIlGFS, ,the 11H9 0f SBClOIl being at 00 the leaves are handled in succession and autollght angles to that of Fig. 4. E inatically presented first with one surface to Flgfllltb1 6 1S a brolri tiprtical sectn of the influence of brushing or cleaning ele- 011B 0 e Carrlels W1 e vacuum x in 1ments and thenthe other surface to a simi- P1309- P Y 'lar cleaning action of successive brushing ele- Flgul@ I 1S a perspective view of the 55 ments, the respective surfaces of the leaves Vacuum b0X- being automatically and successively eX- Flglll? 8 1S a Pel'SPCtlVe View 0f 011e 0f posed for cleaning in the movement of the thllQ/IShpaltly llokcn outt; t

a leaf through the machine. 1 ma@ 111e 0 e presen inven ion in- A furtheor object of the invention is the pro- VOlVGS ll dPPIOPIH@ SkelelOH flfmeWOlk, 70 vision of cylindrical carriers on which the l'fl flllous b alz bltales and Clllllctgg P'lts l uccessivel resented for clean- '0 WllCllre 1n loa generay y er@ 0I'- iieirifvedpitibn there ybeping combined with ence numeral l, it being understood that the rwh of the arrers a particular type of frame structure is arranged for the conven- '25 `pneumatic means whereby the leaf is held llllt lllollltlng 0% lll@ Vatllolltsarfls 0f the ma' 75 on the carrier for the brushing operation Cllvne all may c Cons ruc e o 'any approthe disposition of the carriers and ofthe:I Prllt@ mammal and lll any rela-tule arrange pneumatic means combined therewith being ments S0 lOIlg LS the maChlIlB parts are propsuch that'in the transfer of the leaf from the elly accommodated and SllPPofleflinitial carrier to the succeeding carrier, lthe lll Order that the Operatlon 0f the VallOllS 80 leaf is reversed with respect to its exposed Paris ,maybe Propelll unfleIStOOd aS the desurface whereby one surface may be cleaned SCl'lPtlOll Rfoceeds, 1t 1S deemed aClVlSable t0 OD One/Carrier and the, Opposite Surface on first describe the operating mechanism for the Succeedno. Camiel i the various parts. This operating mechanism f' f A further bject of the present invention includes a motor 2, energization of which is 85 is the provision of pneumatic means in the .Controuddlhrlllgl a swltcltl. 3 htlh fmotol' j is moun e in e ower por iono y e rame. im HOT Suction El lfgldhtlt lmlgrtgnd In substantially the same horizontal plane of t eomtqr Fodsn belng made for the motor and mounted on appropriate bars 40 A. of the frame is a shaft 4 driven from the 90 lon e. ec um .g motor and shaft 4 is driven from shaft 4 by a operation than in preceding or following belt 77 there being provided on the shaft 6 such cleaning operation, thereby insuring for the reception of the belt 7 fast and 10 O Se F tllagl'lle lelf may be PI'OPeTlX llell 0n lille pulleys 8 and 9, `a convenient belt shifter 10 90 Carmel" (llll'lllg t'lle actual Clealllllg OpelallQIl providing for the proper control of the shaft to prevent relative movement of the leaf in -6 from the Shaft L A shaft 1l is mounted the action of the cleaners. beyond the shaft 4 relative to the motor and The invention is illustrated in the acconion the shafts 6 and ll are arranged relatively `panying drawings, wherein reverse cone pulleys 12 and 13 respectively, 100

The shaft 18 is mountedl in the frame bei' yond the shaft 11 and driven from the latter through the medium of a belt 19. On shaft 11 equally spaced on opposite sides ofits cen# ter are belt pulleys 20, from which extend belts 21 for operating one of the carriers, as will later appear. A belt pulley 22 .is also arranged on the shaft 18 for operating the tobacco feedi'ng.b`elt,.as will later appear.v A shaft 23 is arranged immediatelybeyond-the shaft 18 with intermeshingr gears'24 connecting the shafts to insure their absolutely uniform predetermined movement. Y

Pulleys 25 are arranged on the shaft 23, from which extend belts 26 for operating the other carrier, the shaft 23 being a-lsol provided with a pulley 27 for operating the tobacco feeding belt and a pulley 28 by which the lower cleaning element or brush will be operated, as will later appear.

On the fra-me above the plane of the `operan- `.suiice for both, itbeing. understood that the reference characters of one carrierV will be duplicated on the other. Each carrier .in-

cludes'two circular heads-31 and 32, prefer-V These. .heads are arranged in spacedparallel relation ably in the form of w'ooden'disks.

beingsecuredon opposite faces of each diskV to reinforce the opening, the gasket 36 being preferably inserted in the disk on the inner surface thereof and the gasket 37 overlying.

the outer surface of the disk andprovid'ed with rotating arms 38 to be securedto the disk for reinforcing the mounting.

Annular strips 39 of a diameter materially less than that of the carrier project from the outer surface of each disk 31 and32 concentric with'the carrier, the outer edges of the strips having cover plates 40 formed with one on each side of the carrier, whereby the` lattermaybe driven. In the Vcase ofthe carrier 29, these pulleys 39 are'connected with the pulleys 20 on shaft 18 by belts 21, while in the case of the carrier the pulleys 39 thereon are connected with the pulleys 25 on shaft 23 by belts 26.

Thus each carrier is driven by a belt on each side thereof and the operation is balanced and exactly synchronized. rhe hollow shafts `are mounted in bearing blocks 41 on appropriate parts of the framing 1 so that, as illustrated in Figure 1, the peripheral surfacesvof Vthe respective carriers 29 and 30 are substantially in contact at one point. Of course, incident to the gear connections 34 between the shafts 18 and 23, it will be apparent that the carriers 29`and 30 will be rotated in opposite directions, this beingv arranged'so that their surfaces which are substantially in contact move downwardly, as indicated by the arrowsin Figure 1.

As stated, the carriers and operating pulleys therefor rotate on the hollow shaftl in each instance and such shaft is provided with fixed, annular abutments 42 for maintainingrthe rotating position of the carrier on'the shaft and preventing relative endwise movement of the parts.

A suction box 43 is arranged in each carrier, these suction boxes being` identical. Each suction box comprises spaced walls 44 and 45 connected by end plates 46 and 47. The side walls 44 and 45 and the inner ends of the end plates 46v and 47 bear on and are fixed to the hollow shaft 35 and within the area of the shaft included between the ends of the end walls 46 and47 and fora length correspond- Y ingr to the distance between the side walls 44 and 45, the peripheral wall of the hollow shaft 35 is formed with an opening 48.

As will be plain from Figures 4 and G, the suctionbox occupies a space within the carrierA which is materially less than half the area of the carrier, and the side walls 44 and ofthe suction box are in comparatively close association, just avoiding contact with tlietlisks 31 and 32 of the carrier. Arranged within each suction box and fitting the space between the side walls 44 and 45 are parallel walls 49 and 50, these walls being spaced apart a distance approximating the similar dimension of the opening 48 in the hollow shaft 35 and extending from the peripheral edges of the walls 44 and 45 to a point somewhat short of the hollow shaft 35, as indicated :clearly in Figures 4 and 6. The radial length of the suction box corresponds to that of the carrier so that the free edges of the walls 44 and V45 of the suction box rest in close proximity to the peripheral plate 33 of the carrier.

The various walls 40, 4G, 49, 50 and-47 define free suction chambers 51, 52 and 53, the chamber 51 being between the walls 46 and 49, the chamber 52 being between the walls 49 and O-,and the -chamber 53 being between the Walls 5() and 47. VThe inner surface of the walls 49 and 50 are provided' with gates 54 and 55 connected by aV rod 56 branched at the upper end to permit it to be secured to both gates, anda lever 57 extending longitudinally through one end of the hollow shaft 35, that endof the shaft being closed except for a slot 58to permit the passage of the lever 57 and such lever being provided with a plate 59 to maintain the slot closed against air admission in any position of the lever. The lever 57 is pivoted on a pin 60 arranged transverse the hollow shaft 35, and it will be apparent that by operation of the lever the gates may be moved toward or from the opening 48, thereby accentuating or reducing the suction in the chamber 52 at will.

The gates 54 and may, if desired, have pin and slot connection'with the walls 59 and 50, as indicated at 6l in Figure 5, thereby limiting the movement of the gates in both directions` It will be understoodthat when the gates arein their lowered position, as indicated in Figurev 6, the chamber 52 is subjected to a greater suction than when the gates are in the elevated position indicated in Figure 4, it being understood, however, that the suction is at no time or in any position of the gates cut off from the chambers 51 and 53.

As will appear from Figure 4 of the drawings, the respective carriers 29pand 30 have a point of substantial peripheral Contact at 62, the proxima-te surfaces of the carriers moving in the saine direction, that is, downwardly. The suction boxes of the respective carriers are oppositely arranged, in that the final wall 46`of the suction box in carrier 29 is on a plane slightly above the initial wall 46 of the suction box in carrier 30 so that there is a suction effect on. the leaf resting on the peripheral plate 34 of carrier 29 retained on at least a portion of that leaf until the suction effect of the suction box in the carrier 30 begins to act on the leaf.

A cleaning brush 63 is mounted above the carrier 29 in alignment with the chamber 52 of the suction box in that carrier, a similar brush or cleaning` element 64 being mounted below the carrier 30 in line with the chamber 52 of the suction box therein. These brushes or other appropriate cleaning elements are mounted on shafts 65 and 66 respectively supported in the framework l, the shaft 65 being driven from a pulley 67 on shaft 4, while the shaft 66 is driven from pulley 28 on shaft 23.l rllhe tobacco leaves are delivered to the carrier 29 on a delivery belt 68 operating over pulleys 69 and 70, the pulley 69 being arranged adjacent the periphery of the carrier practically in line with the wall 47 of the suction `box therein. The belt 68 is operated by belt 7l driven from the pulley 22 on shaft 18 so that the tobacco leaves are delivered onto the carrier 29 at theV initial edge ofthe suction chamber 53.

In order that the leaves may be properly' and evenly presented to the cleaning brush.`

there is arranged between the end of the delivcry belt 68 and such brush a shaft 7 2 having a plurality of rollers 73 thereon with intervening spacing blocks 74, the roller shaft 72 being supported in brackets 75 influenced by springs 76 to maintain the rollers in ContactV with the perforated plate 38 of the carrier.

roll 8l influenced by spring 82 is arranged to bear on the surface of the carrier 30 in advance of the brush 64, and beyond the brush 64 is arranged the tobacco discharge belt 83 operated by belt 84 from pulley 27 on shaft 23 The respective hollow shafts 35 of the'can riers 29 and 30 are connected at the ends remote from the levers 57 with branches 85 leading from a trunk 86 connected to a source of suction (not shown). The `branches have a non-leaking` fit in the ends of the hollow shaft 35 so that the chambers 5l, 52 and of each suction box are uncer continuous suction in the operation of the apparatus.

VJith the parts arranged as described, the tobacco leaves to be cleaned are fed in succession by means of the belt 68 to the surface of the carrier 29. During the travel of these leaves on the particular portion of the care rier, they are held to the peripheral surface of such carrier by the suction in the successive chambers 53, 52 and 5l. During this operation they subjected to the action of the brush and the uppermost or exposed surface of the leaf is thoroughly cleaned of all extraneous matter. ils the carrier continues its rotation, the leaf is carried around on the surface thereof, finally and before passing completely beyond the influence of the suction box in the carrier 29, being forced against the surface of the carrier 30 and picked up by the suction of the suction box in such can rier.

Of course, in its movement on the carrier 30, the surface of `the leaf which was next the plate 33 on the carrier 29 is new exposed or outermost with respect to the carrier 30, so that the brush 64 which cooperates with the carrier 30 is now operating upon the surface of the leaf opposite that which was o" erated on by the brush 63; `hus both surfaces of the leaf are thoroughlycleaned, the respective surfaces being presented to the respective brushes automatically and ina simple, expeditious manner. The various feeding instrumentalities serve to hold the leaf to the carriers and present it smoothly and evenly to the action of the brush. The leaf finally delivered onto the delivery belt 83 and carried away from the machine.

lf at any time as, for example, with leaves requiring an unusually heavyv brushing action, or for any other purpose it is found necessary to secure the leaf on t-he particular carrier under increased suction during the brushing action, the levers 57, or either of them, may be operated to lower or move inwardly the gates 54 and 55, ivith the eect to reduce the suction opening to the chambers 5l and 53 and thereby increasing thesuction effect in the chamber 52.

As these chambers are in direct line With the brushes of the respective carriers, it will be apparent that While the brush is actually operating on the leaf, the leaf is under the maximum suction, thus insuring that the leaf cannot be casually displaced from the car riers.

l. A tobacco cleaning machine including successive tobacco leaf carriers, cleaning means cooperating With the leaf on each carrier, means operating to hold the leaf on each lcarrier throughout a predetermined movement of the carrier, the leaf on successive carriers exposing relatively opposite faces.

2. A tobacco cleai'iing machine including successive carriers, leaf cleaning means cooperating With each carrier, and suction means in the carrier for holding the leaf thereon throughout a predetermined movement of the carrier, the cooperation of the `carriers and the relation of the suction means in each carrier serving to transfer the leaf from one carrier to the other.

3. A tobacco cleaning machine including successive rotating carriers, having a point of substantial peripheral contact leaf cleaning means cooperating with each carrier, and suction means in the carrier for holding the leaf thereon throughout a predetermined movement of the carrier, the cooperation of the carriers and the relation of the suction means in each carrier serving to transfer the leaf from one carrier to the other, the leaf in cooperation with the respective carriers presenting relatively opposite surfaces for cleaning.

l. A tobacco cleaning machine including successive carriers, and cleaning means cooperating with each carrier, lixed suction means in each carrier, the position of the suction means ineachcarrier and the relation of the carriers causing the suction means of a successive carrier to pick up the leaf from a preceding carrier to expose a surface of that leaf opposite the surface exposed on such preceding carrier.

5. A tobacco cleaning machine including rotating carriers moving in opposite directions and in immediately adjacent relation, a leaf cleaning means cooperating With each carrier, and suction means arranged in each carrier and held against movement, the suction means of the respective carriers causing the leaf from one carrier to be transferred to the other carrier in a relatively reverse position.

6. A tobacco cleaner including a plurality of cylindrical carriers arranged in successive order, the relative adjacent surfaces of the carriers moving in the same direction and substantially in contact, asuction device in one carrier serving to hold the leaf on the carrier, a suction device in the other carrier serving to hold the leaf on such other carrier, the suction devices in the respective carriers being so relatively disposed that the suction effect on the leaf on the first carrier is released substantially coincident With the initial suction effect on the leaf on the second carrier, and a cleaning means cooperating with each carrier.

7. A tobacco leaf cleaner including tivo successive carriers of cylindrical form, means for operating the carriers to cause their proximate peripheral surfaces to move in the same direction and substantially in contact, a suction box in each carrier held against movement With the carrier, the suction box of the second carrier being arranged to affect the tobacco leaf when the latter has passed beyond the influence of the suction box of the first carrier, each ofthe suction boxes including a manually controllable suction chamber, and a cleaning element cooperating with the peripheral surface of eac-h carrier and arranged in radial alignment with said chamber.

S. A tobacco leaf cleaner including tivo carriers arranged in successive order so that the surface of one is substantially in contact with the surface of the other, means for operating the carriers in rela-tively opposite directions to cause their contacting surfaces to move in the sam-e direction, each carrier including a peripheral surface to receive and support a tobacco leaf with such surface perforated, a suction box fixed within and held against movement with respect lto the first carrier, a second suction box fixed Within and held against movement with respect to the second carrier, the suction effect of such boxes being transmitted to the leaf through the perforated peripheral surfaces of the carriers whereby to hold the lea-f in contact with such surface, the suction effect of the box of the first carrier terminating immediately in advance of the initial suction effect of the box of the second carrier whereby the leaf held to the first carrier by its suction box is transferred and vheld to the peripheral surface of the second carrier through the suction box of the latter, and tof bacco leaf cleaning means cooperating with ating the carriers in relatively opposite direc-j tions to cause their contactingsurfaces to move in the same direction, each carrier in cluding a peripheral surfac4 to receive and support a tobacco leaf with such surfacey perforated, a suction box fixed within and held against movement with respect to the first carrier, a second suction box fixed Within and held against movement with respect to the second carrier, the suction effect of suchl boxes being transmitted to the leaf through Vthe second carrier through the suction box Vof the latter,each suction box including a the perforated peripheral surfaces of the carriers whereby to hold the leaf in contact,`

with such surface, the suction effect of the box of the rst carrier terminating immediately in advance of the initial suction effect of the box of the second carrier whereby the leaf held to the first carrier by its suction box is transferred and held to the peripheral surface of the second carrier through the suction box of theilatter, and a tobacco leaf cleaning brush cooperating with each carrier within the effective area of the suction box within that carrier. v

10. A tobacco leaf cleaner including two carriers arranged in successive order so that the surface of one is substantially in contact with the surface of the other, means for operating the carriers in'relatively opposite direc? tions to cause their contacting surfaces to move in the same direction, each carrier including a peripheral surface to receive and support a tobacco leaf with such surface perforated, a suction box fixed Within and heldvagainst movement with respect to the first carrier, a second suc-ti on box fixed within and held against movement with respect to the second carrier, the suction effect of such boxes being transmitted to the leaf through the perforated peripheral surfaces of the carriers whereb,T to hold the leaf in contact with such surface, thesuction effect of the box of the first carrier terminating immediately in advance of the initial suction effect of the box of the second carrier whereby the lea f held to the first carrier by its suction. boxV is transferred and held. to the peripheral surface of the second carrier through the suction box of the latter, each suction box including a y suction chamber, means for manually controlling the suction effect on the carrier in;

line with the chamber. and a tobacco leaf cleaning means cooperating with each carrier'.

tions to cause their contacting surfaces t0 fmov'ejin the same direction, each carrier including a peripheral surface to receive and support a tobacco leaf with such surface perforated, a Vsuction box fixed within and held against' moveinentfwitli respect to the rst carrier, second suction box fixed within and held against movementwith respectl to the second carrienthe suction effect of such boxes beingtransmitted to the leaf through the perforated peripheral surfaces of the carriers whereby to hold the leaf inA contact with such surface, the suction effect of the box of the carrier terminating immediately in advance ofthe initial suction effect of the box of the second carrier whereby the leaf held tothe first ca'rrierby its suction box is transferred and held to the peripheral surface of suction chamber, means for manually controlling the suction effect on the carrier in line with the chamber, and a cleaning brush cooperating with the peripheral surface of each carrier in line with s uch chamber of each l suction box.

12. In a tobacco cleaning machine, a cylindrical carrier having a. perforated peripheral surface, a fixed hollow shaft on which said4 carrier is mounted for rotation, a suction box secured to the shaft and extending within the carrier, the walls of the box providing a suction area opening through the coincident portion of the peripheral surface of the carrier, a source of suction connected with the hollow shaft, said hollow shaft being formed with an opening communicating with the suction box, and a tobacco leaf cleaning means cooperating with the surface of the carrier.

13. In a tobacco cleaning machine, a cylindri cal carrier having a perforated peripheral surface, a fixed hollow shaft on which said carrier is lmounted for rotation, a suction box secured to the shaft and extending within the carrier, thewalls of the box providing a suction area opening through the coincident portion of the peripheral surface of the carrier, a source of suction connected with the hollow shaft, said hollow shaft being formed with an opening communicating with the suction box, said suction box including spaced parallel walls defining a suction chamber, gates whereby the suction effect in said chamber may be controlled, and a tobacco leaf cleaning i rier, a source of suction connect-ed with the; hollow shaft, said hollow shaft being formed withY ann-opening communicatingwith the suction box, said suction box including lspaced' parallel Walls defining a' suction chamber, gates whereby the suction effect in saidrchaniber may vbe cont-rolled, Vmeans for manually operating the gates, and a tobacco leaf clean-V er means cooperating with the carrier.

15. In a tobacco cleaning mach-ine, a cyl-1ndricalcarrier having a perforated peripheral surface., a fixed hollow shaft on which said4 carrier is mounted for rotation, a suction box secured to the shaft and extending Within the carrier, the Walls of the box providing asuction areao'pening through the coincident portion of the peripheral surface ofthe carrier,

' a source of suction connected with the hollow" sha-ft, said hollow shaft bein-g formed Withan opening communicating with the suction box, said suction boXI including spaced parallel, Walls, defining a suction.- chamber, gateswhereby Ythe suction elect; in said charnbeirmay be controlled, means for manually opcratingfthe gates, anda cleaning` brush cooperating With the ,peripheralsurfacey of the carrier'in line with said chamber.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

ANDRS 'SANTALLA FONSECA. 

